This Week in Pictures: Oct. 1-7

This week, Colombia narrowly rejected a peace deal between the Colombian government and the leftist rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) after decades of violence. Only 50.2% of the 13 million voters voted against the accord, leaving many hoping for an end to the region’s conflicts disappointed, and many more questioning the use of a referendum for the decision.

On Monday, the U.S. suspended diplomatic talks with Russia, claiming that Russia has not upheld the terms of the agreement regarding the restored cease-fire and humanitarian aid in Syria.

Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc across the Caribbean and the southeastern U.S. this week with winds up to 145 mph. Reuters placed Haiti’s death toll alone at 478, but Veloso has warned that the number could rise in the next few days, as emergency crews are able to make their way into the area. The U.S. has sent nine Army and Marine Corps helicopters to Haiti, to determine which areas need the most help, before delivering aid. 1.5 million Floridians were ordered to flee their homes, along with mandatory evacuations in Georgia and the Carolinas.

Kim Kardashian West was robbed in Paris this week, prompting questions as to the safety of posting her whereabouts and possession of expensive jewelry to social media. Kardashian West was bound and gagged at gunpoint in her hotel room while robbers stole more than $10 million worth of jewelry from her room. Officials are investigating the possibility that the theft was an inside job.

Virginia Senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine engaged in this year’s vice presidential debate alongside Indiana Governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. During the debate, Kaine received criticism for repeatedly interrupting Pence, while Pence was criticized for not aligning with and defending Trump against Kaine’s attacks.

This week, the New York Times uncovered an almost $1 billion loss declared by Donald Trump in 1995, which potentially allowed him to avoid paying federal income taxes for close to two decades. The revelation provided fuel for Democratic rival Hillary Clinton to question Trump’s purported business successes in light of such a massive financial loss.

A rescue mission was underway this week after hundreds died in a refugee boat in the Mediterranean traveling from Libya to Italy. The boat was filled at five times its capacity, causing passengers to asphyxiate or jump overboard. This week alone, over 10,000 migrants were saved.

Education protests continued this week in South Africa as students demand an end to education fees, arguing that the current cost of education makes it inaccessible for many, in direct contradiction of the South African constitution.